The Cabinet Committee of Economic Affairs has recently approved the PAN (Permanent Account Number) 2.0 project launched by the Income Tax Department of India. The project aims to provide free upgrades to PAN cards featuring QR codes, secure data storage, and unified PAN/TAN (Tax Deduction and Collection Account Number).
The PAN 2.0 project is an initiative by the government to modernize taxpayer registration through advanced e-governance. The government has allocated a budget of INR 1,435 crore to provide efficient PAN services and a seamless experience to the taxpayers.
However, with this new PAN registration, criminals and fraudsters have started targeting individuals with fake promises to upgrade or provide them new PAN cards. Therefore, it is essential for one to understand how to protect themselves to avoid such deceptive practices happening to them.
Beware of PAN 2.0 Scam
The most important thing to note is that your current PAN cards are still valid even after the launch of PAN 2.0. The new card is necessary to be made only when updating personal details like name and date of birth.
For PAN card deliveries within India, a physical card would cost around INR 50, while for international deliveries, an additional INR 15 would be charged as shipping charges.
Notably, applying for PAN 2.0 is not mandatory, and the individuals who have been contacted or notified by any authority to upgrade their PAN should take caution.
– People must need to exercise caution if contacted about mandatory PAN card upgrades and expedited processing for a fee.
– The UP cyber cell advises against sharing details or OTPs.
– Avoid interacting with any suspicious links, calls, texts, or mails regarding PAN 2.0.
All the necessary information about PAN 2.0 is available on the official website of the Income Tax Department of India. For PAN card reprints, one can reach out to the authorized PAN service providers called Protean or UTITSL. These are the sole entities approved by the Income Tax department for issuing PAN cards.
Reach Out to Emergency
In case of a scam, one can also lodge a complaint against the fraudster by directly contacting the National Cyber Crime Helpline at 1930. They can also directly visit the official website of the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal. It is also advisable to submit the complaint or grievances immediately if scammed. Make sure to preserve all kinds of evidence, including call records, text messages, mail, and any other documents served to them.
More About PAN 2.0 Project
According to the Press Information Bureau of India, “With an existing PAN database of 78 crore PANs and 73.28 lakh TANs, the project addresses the requirements of taxpayers, focusing on the consolidation of multiple platforms/portals and efficient services to PAN/TAN holders.”
However, the existing PAN card holders are not required to apply for a new PAN card under the upgraded system.
Under the PAN 2.0, the taxpayers or new users will obtain a new card to the registered email address. The users can also update or apply for the cards with being charged before requesting a reprint.
After completing necessary steps, the updated PAN card will be electronically sent to the user via their registered emails.
Can You Have More than One PAN?
According to the Finance Ministry of India, no individual can hold multiple PANs. “As per the provisions of the Income-tax Act, 1961, no person can hold more than one PAN. In case a person holds more than one PAN, the individual is obliged to bring it to the notice of the Jurisdictional Assessing Officer and get the additional PAN deleted/deactivated,” the ministry stated in an issued statement.
The ministry further said that in the PAN 2.0, “In the PAN 2.0, with the improved systems logic for the identification of potential duplicate requests for PAN and a centralized and enhanced mechanism for resolving the duplicates, we would minimize the instances of one person holding more than one PAN.”
Kanishka Malhotra is a seasoned journalist with a deep passion for reporting and uncovering the truth. With a specialization in research and investigative Journalism, she has covered wide range of topics related to social issues, travel, lifestyle, technology, Entertainment and much more. She believes to express and share her creativity to the world through words. With relentless pursuit of knowing and uncovering the truth, Kanishka continues to leave a mark in the world of journalism.
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